Governor Oyebanji Solicits Support From Ekiti Indigenes In Federal Govt Employment

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has challenged  Federal workers who are indigenes of the State to leverage their positions in the federal public service to facilitate more development to the state.

The governor charged them to provide information that can create access and opportunities for the people to prosper and achieve their potentials.

He said that by sharing insights and data on federal initiatives and opportunities, they are helping the state to make informed decisions that can drive Ekiti’s growth and development.

He urged them to use their knowledge and resources to partner and support the state government to enhance the quality of life of the citizens and provide together an environment where every Ekiti citizen can thrive and prosper.

Governor Oyebanji who stated these during an engagement with Ekiti Stakeholders in Abuja  said his administration in the last one and half years has led the state with a deep sense of responsibility, guided by the fear of God and principle of transparency and accountability .

“I believe strongly that with you behind us, people will start to have a rethink about who Ekitis are. We are extremely dedicated people, we are hardworking, we are loyal, we are transparent, we are courageous but we don’t have access to opportunities and we lack platforms.

“But that platform that we lack is what God has provided through you. It is those platforms I’m asking, give us this platform, collaborate with us, assist us so that we can use your network and your platform to develop our people.”

He disclosed that his government has been able to change the narratives in the state by being strong on welfare issues and creating economic opportunities for the citizens.

These, he said has impacted positively on the standard of living of the residents as well as improve on economic development programmes of his predecessors.

The Governor added that every money that comes into the state’s coffers has been spent transparently and prudently, adding that his government has paid over N17 billion  as pension, gratuity, car, and housing loans to Ekiti public servants since he took over as Governor of the State

“We believe strongly that with our six point agenda in the state today, we are intervening in infrastructure, we are revamping our health care services, we are doing education, free education, we give grants to schools, in the medical sectors we are confronting the problem of infrastructure, the problem of drugs, and we are also combatting the problem with staff.

“We are the second state in the country that has paid hazard allowance. We paid over N14 billion in pension, we are paying gratuities, we have committed N200 million every month to gratuities, we pay salaries as at when due.

“As of today we are not owing workers salary since we were sworn into office. We have paid arrears of pensions, given promotion arrears, we have paid contributions to our workers and you can call your people at home, we are very faithful when it comes to the issues of pensioners.

According to him, “We are conscious of the burden of history on us, we campaigned for this office, we made promises to the people, we begged them to vote for us, we are not here to complain and we are not complaining.

“We have accepted this responsibility and we don’t lack the capacity, we don’t lack the ability, we don’t lack the vision, we don’t lack the drive but we can do better than what we are doing with your help, so I’ve come to you today not as a Governor that knows it all, I’ve come to you as someone asking for help.”